Labor Says Turnbull ‘Got Out His Wallet’ to Win Election; PM Admits to $AU1.75M Donation

After repeatedly dodging questions on the topic, Turnbull has admitted to donating almost $AU2 million to the Liberal Party.

In an interview on the ABC’s 7:30 program last night, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told host Stan Grant: “I contributed $1.75 million, that was the contribution I made.”

“It’s been talked about and speculated about,” he followed. “So there it is.”

With his donation amount now confirmed, the Labor party have accused the PM of using dirty tactics to win his position as leader of the Liberal party.

Shadow finance minister Jim Chalmers said, “He couldn’t win an election on his merits so he got out his wallet,” adding, “If he didn’t have $1.75 million to splash about he wouldn’t be the leader of the Liberal Party and he wouldn’t be the Prime Minister.”

As these things usually go, there has already been back-and-forth banter between the Labor party and the Libs. Treasurer Scott Morrison hit out at Chalmers, describing him as a “grubby political hack”.

“It’s a grubby political smear from a grubby political hack, from a party of hacks led by Bill Shorten,” denounced Morrison. He also peppered the PM with compliments, describing him as the most humble and generous man he knows, alleging the donations went to hospitals and social causes too.

In response to questioning over why he decided to donate so much, Turnbull reckons he has a duty to give back because he’s done well in life. He argued he had invested in his own party, claiming Labor was beholden to the unions.

Commentators were quick to point out the PM might not feel—quite—as generous with homeless people.

PM @TurnbullMalcolm gives $5 to homeless man and $1.75m to Liberals so they can continue to hound the poor for money they don’t owe. #Auspol

— Christopher Scott (@Orringa) February 1, 2017

The donations were made during the current financial year and details could have remained undisclosed for another 12 months under the current policy. Chalmers said the Labor party has more integrity on the issue of political donations.

“Labor discloses its donations in the proper way, actually we do more than is required of us by law,” he expressed.

In light of everything, Turnbull said he will be more open to timely declarations of campaign contributions.

Photo: Twitter (@abc730)